Climate Change in the American Mind: March, 2016

The latest survey in the Climate Change in the American Mind series tracking attitudes, beliefs, and views of Americans on global warming.

WHY YOU SHOULD TAKE A LOOK:

The report explores common concerns related to global warming such as beliefs, emotions, risk, popular discourse, and perceived effectiveness of action.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Key Findings

  • Americans are discussing global warming with family and friends regularly, while most say they rarely or never discuss it (69%). 


  • Six in ten Americans say the U.S. should reduce its own greenhouse gas emissions, regardless of what other countries do. Only 6% of Americans say the U.S. should not reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. 


  • 1 in 5 American say they hear about global warming in the media.

  • When asked how strongly they feel about global warming, over half of Americans (67%) say they feel very or moderately “interested” in it, the other half says they feel “helpless” (49%), “disgusted” (48%) and/or “hopeful” (48%). Large minorities also feel very or moderately “afraid” (42%), “angry” (41%), and/or “outraged” (41%). 


  • 53% Americans think that humans mostly cause global warming. One in three (34%) believe it is due mostly to natural changes in the environment. 


Related resources

Related Resources